A: Parashas Terumah teaches us about important objects in the the Mishkan and Beis Hamikdash, such as the aron, the shulchan, and the menorah. Unfortunately today we do not have a Beis Mikdash. The Kotel is all that is left.

Q: What is hekdesh?

A: Hekdesh is a word that refers to the Beis Hamikdash and the things inside it. It all belongs to Hashem, and we are not allowed to use it for our personal benefit.

Q: Should the Kotel be considered hekdesh?

A: Some rabanim believe that the Kotel is a wall of the actual Beis Hamikdash (Radvaz, vol. 2, no. 648, 691; Chayei Adam, Shaarei Tzedek, Mishpetei Eretz, chap. 11, no. 8; Responsa of the Ridvaz, no. 38). According to these opinions, the Kotelwould be considered hekdesh. We would have to make sure that we are pure when we come near the wall and also that we shouldn’t get any personal benefit from it. However, most rabbanim today believe that the Kotel is actually part of the wall that was surrounding the Beit Hamikdash (Avnei Nezer, Yoreh De’ah, 450; Tzitz Eliezer 10:1; Rav Ovaya Yosef, Yabia Omer Rav Ovadya Yosef, vol. 5, Yoreh De’ah, no. 27). This would mean that it isn’t hekdesh.

Q: Are the boys allowed to use the Kotel for shade?

A: Even if the Kotel is not actually a wall of the actual Beis Hamikdash, it still has great kedusha and it is therefore inappropriate to use it for purposes such as shade (Iggros Moshe, Yoreh De’ah Vol. 4, no. 63).